Deck for mobile homes



Nov. 17, 1970 R. A. HAWN DECK FOR MOBILE HOMES Filed Sept. 9, 1968 R O T N E V m RALPH A. HAWN BY ATTORNEY United States Patent U.S. Cl. 52-126 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A deck for mobile homes is readily transported, erected and dismantled. A joist set on edge along each side is supported in a longitudinal channel, which is supported at intervals by telescopically adjustable legs, the channels being bolted to plates on the tops of the legs. Transverse short channel sections are fixed to the longitudinal channels at intervals and receive the ends of transverse joists. Intermediate adjustable legs have short channel-like pads to support the transverse joists intermediate their ends. The corners where the longitudinal and transverse joists intersect are reinforced by angle braces. Plywood flooring is nailed to the joists.

This invention relates to a new and improved deck for mobile homes. More particularly, the invention relates to a portable, readily mounted and dismounted assembly of channels, joists and telescopic legs, forming a frame on which a plywood flooring is attached.

A principle feature of the present invention is the ease and rapidity with which the device may be assembled, dismantled, conveniently transported from one site to another, and reassembled. Essentially, the frame is of bolted construction. Only the plywood flooring is nailed in place.

Another feature of the invention is the fact that each of the legs which supports the frame is of telescopic construction and readily adjustable in length to accommodate irregularities 0n the ground. Hence careful leveling of the site is not required, thereby facilitating installation of the deck. At the same time the fact that the legs are readily adjustable insures that all portions of the deck are firmly supported and any tendency to sag or rock is eliminated.

Another feature of the invention is the fact that it may be readily adaptable to mobile homes of a variety of different constructions.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view partly broken away in section showing the device installed adjacent to a mobile home.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the deck viewed from below.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective View of one of the legs and channels supporting the sides of the deck intermediate the ends.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper end of a leg and channel construction for one of the corners.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper end of the leg supporting the transverse joists interme diate their ends.

In FIG. 1 there is shown the side 11 of a typical mobile home, it being understood that a feature of the invention is the fact that it may be installed in a wide variety of such homes. The side 11 is provided with a door 12 giving access to the interior and it is intended that the deck 13, which is the subject of this invention, be installed along the side 11 at the elevation of the threshold of the 'ice door 12. The wood frame consists of 2 x 6 longitudinal joists 14 along each side and 2 x 6 transverse joists 16 located at each end of the joists 14 and at regular intervals intermediate the ends. At each of the corners where joists 14 and 16 intersect is a metal angle brace 17. Bolts 18 fit through holes in the joists and through the angle brace 17 and are secured in place by washers 19 and nuts 20. The flooring of the deck is a plurality of panels of plywood 21 nailed by means of finishing nails to the top edges of the joists 14 and 16.

Along each side edge, underlying each joist 14, is a metal channel 22 preferably A; x 1 x 2, receiving the lower edge of joist 14. As best shown in FIG. 3, intermediate the ends of channel 22 and underlying each transverse joist 16 are short sections of channel 23 preferably about 3 inches in length. The bottom of section 23 is welded flush with the bottom of channel 22. The ends of joists 16 are received in channel sections 23. At each corner, channel section 23a is welded to the end of channel 22 to receive the end of endmost joist 16. Holes 24 are formed in channel 22 for attachment thereof to the legs as hereinafter described.

A plurality of legs 26, 26b is provided. Leg 26 has a base 27 which may be a square plate to which a pipe or tube 28 is welded. Sliding in telescopic relationship to pipe 28 is a second pipe or rod 29. The upper end of pipe 29 has welded thereto a second square plate 31. Bolt 32 passes through hole 24 in channel 22 and through an aligned hole in plate 31 to secure channel 22 to the leg 26. To provide for temporary adjustment of member 29 relative to 28 while all of the legs are being adjusted a setscrew 33 is threaded through a suitable hole in the upper end of tube 28 and bears against the pipe 29. It is intended that the screw 33 only be used while all of the legs are being adjusted. The tube 28 adjacent its upper end has at least two holes 34 and 36 at angles relative to each other. A permanent bolt 37 passes through the hole 34 and through a hole which is specially drilled in pipe 29 after the legs have been adjusted in pipe 29 and receives a washer 38 and nut 39. When the leg 26 is used in another location, the hole drilled in pipe 29 may not line up with hole 34. In such instance the bolt 37 is passed through hole 36 and through another suitable hole drilled in the inner member 29. The legs 26 are installed in each corner of the frame and at intervals along each side, preferably opposite every other transverse joist 16. It is usually desirable to support joists 16 intermediate their ends and for such purpose legs 26b are employed. The legs 26b are essentially the same in construction as are legs 26 except that the upper end of member 29b has welded thereto a short pad or channel section 41 and there is no plate corresponding to plate 31. Joist 16 is received in pad 41.

In installing the deck, the joist 14 which is adjacent to wall 11 is first located in position relative to the threshold of door 12 and leveled by adjustment of legs 26 and the use of setscrews 33-. Preliminarily the intermediate joists 16 have been bolted thereto by means of angle braces 17, bolts 18 and nuts 20. The outside joist 14 is then attached and all of the legs 26, 26b are temporarily adjusted so that the frame is level and supported by each of the legs. Thereupon the bolts 37 are installed as has been explained. When the frame is completed, the plywood panels 21 are nailed in place. It will be understood that various enclosures, railings and awning supports may be installed on top of the deck as desired. Installation of the deck is rapid in that the pieces are precut and holes for installation of the bolts 18 are preformed. Adjustment of the legs, both temporarily and permanently is rapid and convenient. When the mobile home is moved to another site, the plywood panels 21 are removed and the various parts unbolted. Re-in- 3 stallation at the new site is convenient and rapid. Ordinarily the only alteration required is to use one of the holes 36 instead of the hole 34 for bolt 37.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail, by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A deck for mobile homes comprising a frame comprising parallel side joists and transverse joists between said side joists, said joists set on edge, angle brackets at the corners of said joists, detachable fastening means securing said joists to said angle brackets; flooring secured to the top edges of said joists; a channel on each side of said deck underlying said side joists and short channel sections extending at right angles to said channels at spaced intervals, said channels being closed at the junctures with said channel sections, the ends of said transverse joists resting in said short channel sections, said short channel sections welded to said channels with the bottoms thereof flush with the bottoms of said channels, said short channel sections terminating remote from the adjacent channel; said channels and said channel sections having horizontal webs and sides extending upward from said webs, the heights of said sides being substantially less than the vertical dimensions of said joists, said angle brackets above the upper edges of said sides; and a plurality of legs spaced along said side channels, each said leg having a base, a hollow first member projecting from said base, a second member slidable in said first member, adjustment means adjustably securing said members relative to each other, and detachable means securing the upper end of said second member to one of said channels.

2. A deck according to claim 1, in which said detachable means comprises an apertured plate fixed to the top of said second member, said channel apertured in registry with the aperture in said plate, and a bolt through said apertures.

3. A deck according to claim 1, in which said fastening means comprises a temporary means comprising a set screw threaded through a wall of said first member and bearing against said second member and a permanent means comprising a bolt passing through aligned apertures in said members.

4. A deck according to claim 1, which further comprises intermediate legs supporting said transverse joists intermediate said side joists, each said intermediate leg having a base, a hollow first member projecting from said base, a second member slidable in said first member, adjustment means adjustable securing said members relative to each other, and a short channel section on the top of said second member, said transverse joist resting in said short channel section.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 335,901 2/1886 Denton 52122 1,858,715 5/1932 McKay 52488 2,293,431 8/1942 Frease 52488 2,717,801 9/1955 Neil 52122 X 3,316,680 5/1967 Chrastek 52-426 3,333,380 8/1967 Wolf 52-365 FOREIGN PATENTS 258,099 3/ 1965 Australia.

PRICE C. FAW, JR., Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 52-299, 488 

